The Association of Independent Tour Operators is teaming up with ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators to launch a scheme to cut the trade´s carbon footprint.
AITO responsible tourism advisor Dick Sisman told the associaton’s annual conference in Grenada the scheme has been under consideration for three months and will be put to the membership all three groups for their agreement before Christmas.
However, he warned members will have to act quickly following last week´s Queen´s Speech which saw the Government order a white paper for next March on climate change that is feared will disproportionately pin the blame the trade and aviation in particular.
He said: “We have the opportunity to do something about it now and if we don´t grasp it, it will disappear.”
The new scheme, which is yet to be named, will allow operators and agents greater scope to offset emissions by working with a number of designated carbon off-setting companies.
Projects expected to be embraced will range from tree planting to the use of more solar power in resorts and anyone working with the scheme will be able to nominate others.
At the end of each year participating companies will receive a certificate showing what percentage of carbon emissions they have off-set.
Sisman added the scheme will allow the trade to work with the most transparent and reliable carbon emission companies, as currently some companies quote prices 300% greater than others in the cost of off-setting emissions.
FTO director general Andy Cooper welcomed the scheme and he urged delegates to do more to tackle the misconception that aviation is heavily to blame for carbon emissions when it in fact only accounts for 2% worldwide.
He said: “We have to start pushing the message that aviation is still very important.”